Expert: Carol Schlitt - 6/28/2007

Question
I HAVE JUST READ AN ITEM WHERE YOU HAVE SAID IT IS OK TO USE SOUSAGES ONCE DEFROSTET PROPERLYAND THEN AGAIN REFRIGERATED WITHIN 3 DAYS.
WE HERE IN KUWAIT HAVE ALOT OF PEOPLE BUYING SOUSAGES FREZZING THEM AND JUST BEFORE TRAVELLING TO INDIA TAKING THEM WITH THEM THE FLIGHT TIMES IS AROUND 18HRS INCLUDING WAITING TILL THE SOUSAGES ARE AGAIN PUT INTO THE FREZZER
I FEL THIS IS NOT AT ALL COREECT BUT NO ONE SEEMS TO CARE .
CANI HAVE ACONFIRMANCE ON THIS PLEASE

Answer
Hi Sunil Veris,

You are right, frozen sausages held on an airplane for 18+ hours without trying to keep them frozen is considered an unsafe practice.  That would be like defrosting at room temperature which is not recommended as this can give bacteria a good breeding ground.

If the sausages were frozen and then packed with dry ice to keep them frozen during the flight and then placed in the freezer when they get to India -- this would be a safe way to transport the sausages. Without some means of keeping the sausages frozen you are asking for food borne illness bacteria to multiply to a level that can make you sick.

I hope this answers your question.  If you have additional questions, please let me know.

Carol